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Home : Quarterly Archives : Volume 6 |
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Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society |
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Source: November 1947 Volume 6 Number 4, Pages 75–80 Notes on the history of the Berwyn Library : 1905-1946
Berwyn Reading Room Forty-one years ago, on the upper floor of what was then known as "The Bakery", on Waterloo Avenue, the Berwyn Library began its existence. It came into being as the result of consideration of the need for a library at the first Town Meeting held in Odd Fellow's Hall -- October 3, 1905. Mr. George S. Button, President of the Town Meeting, was one of the group of citizens who had been interested in previous attempts to organize a library in Berwyn. These attempts apparently left little result, but without doubt the experience gained was an important factor in the successful beginning made in 1905. It will be of interest here, to consider these preliminary efforts at community betterment. The facts were gathered from material found among the papers of Mr. George S. Button. They were sent to the writer by his son, Mr. Arthur Hutton. The first dates, 1888 - 1889, were on memoranda, bills, etc, of the "Village Improvement Society". This organization apparently concerned itself with the lighting of the village only. Citizens paid for the lights in front of or near their respective properties. The town lights were augmented by various citizens assuming responsibility for certain additional lights. The next attempt was in 1895 and 1896. Minutes of a meeting held in the Presbyterian Church recorded discussion regarding "the procuring of quarters for a Reading-room, Gymnasium, etc." Mr. Henry T. Coates was Chairman and Mr. George S. Hutton acted as Secretary. 23 persons were present. Notices of meetings in January and February - 1896 - were found and various buildings and lots were discussed. Evidently no action resulted. Six years later - in 1902 - a public meeting was held in August. A committee was appointed to take up the matter of a "Reading-room and a place of general resort for suitable amusements". Committee members were: Mr. Joseph W. Sharp, Mr. Henry T. Coates, Dr. R. B. Okie, Mr. George H. Johnson, Mr. G. T. Ritner and Mr. George S. Hutton. n October 13, 1902, a letter was sent out by the above committee. Citizens of Berwyn have reported that at least one library was open for a while in Odd Fellows' Hall. Mr. Henry T. Coates was particularly active in its establishment. Our former Librarian, Mrs. Edith Beaumont, retold the writer a lively tale recounted to her by Miss Ida Channell. Miss Channell, then teaching at the Old Leopard School, told how she ran the risk of driving; a very spirited team of horses from the Leopard into Berwyn to get books from the Library then in Presbyterian Hall. The date for this Library is not known, but in 1905 Miss Channell was teaching in the Village Grammar School and it was she who made the motion that a Library be started in Berwyn. By the autumn of 1905 "the fullness of time" had evidently been reached, for the appeal made at the Town Meeting - then just beginning its career - met with earnest response. The following record of the Library's beginnings has been taken from the excellent minutes of the Town Meeting's Secretary, Mr. S. J. Henderson. At the meeting, October 3, 1905, "motion was made by Miss Channell, seconded by Miss Atkinson, that a committee of five be appointed to inquire into conditions and a place for establishing a library in Berwyn". The Committee members were: Miss Ida Channell, Mrs. Frank Dewees, Mrs. Wells, Mr. Frances, Miss Atkinson, Chairman. This Committee made a report at the second Town Meeting, October 17, 1905. The report speaks of information obtained as to former attempts to establish a library --and also of the causes which prevented the maturing of the plans. The Committee than advises that, "whatever attempt may be made - should be upon a modest basis". The report speaks of visits to nearby libraries and of finding in each case that the beginning was extremely small. At this time a suitable room had already been located, and it had been estimated that $500.00 per year would be needed to meet expanses, and the Committee even, suggests a plan for raising the money by subscription! The report further shows a plan for a course of illustrated lectures by "a prominent citizen". At the meeting of November 16, 1905, the Reading-room Committee was instructed to secure the room for 6 months with the privilege of extending the time to one year. By January 15, 1906, the minutes show the Reading-room in running order, and a Special Committee formed to purchase tables and games. These games were in addition to the magazines and newspapers which had been subscribed for when the room opened. At this time the Committee was enlarged - 16 new names were added - Miss Atkinson, Chairman, Mrs. Mary F. Dewees, Miss Ida Channell, Mrs. Mary J. Wells, Miss Agnes Okie, Miss Daisy Aiken, Miss Edna Lamborn, Mrs. William H. Fritz, Miss Frances Knapp, Mr. J. T, Campbell, Mr. J. P. Lamborn Mr. H. C. Moore, Mr. Clarence Bankard, Mr. Walter P. Hutton, Mr. S. J. Henderson, Professor Snyder, Mr, H. O. Garber, Mr. S, A. Kormer, Mr. Morris Lobb, Mr. J. W. Quimby. During these first months, Mr. George Hutton and Mr. William Fritz were largely responsible for the financial support of the project. Books were very few, most of those in the library were donated. A Special Committee headed by Mr. Henry Coates was appointed to examine all books given to the Library. The work of Librarian, was shared by members of the committee. By March, 1906, the Committee requested that its quorum be lowered to 8 members. By this time also an invitation had been extended to the Berwyn Branch of the Women's Auxiliary of the Chester County Hospital to use the room for its monthly meetings. These same minutes report that a loan of 50 books had been received from the Friends' Library of Philadelphia. Books had also been lent by the Pennsylvania State Library at Harrisburg. In September the need for a librarian was emphasized and by November, 1906, the services of Mrs. Elsie Jardine had been secured. During these early days the Reading-room was evidently trying to fill the need for a real community center, a "physical, culture class" was organized for girls --- and a "Boys Club"' --- both were discontinued after a short period.
A lecture course was attempted -- In 1909, the Minutes show that Mr. Walter P. Hutton became Chairman of the Committee composed of: Miss Bessie Armstrong, Miss Anna Atkinson, Miss Margaretta Atkinson, Miss Julia Atkinson, Mrs. Mary Dewees, Mr. J. P. Lamborn, Mr. Warden McLees, Mrs. William W. Morris, Miss Agnes P. Okie, Reverend A. W. Quimby, and Reverend Van Tries. On May 17, 1910, an important event in the life of the Library occurred. It moved to new quarters in the Yerkes Building on Lancaster Pike. The room occupied on the second floor was more spacious and the location made the Library much easier to reach. It was in this building that the first book-stacks were built. Receipts, from candy made and sold by members bought the lumber, and Mr. Theodore Lamborn built the shelves and made the first library tables. At this time also a standard system of cataloging the books was installed. This required many hours of the committee's time. From the very beginning, townspeople have worked unceasingly in order that the Library might succeed, and today's Library is the result of the untiring efforts of many. During the life of the Citizens' Association of Berwyn (an outgrowth of the Town Meeting), the Library was part of the organization's activity. The-chairman of the Library Committee was, by virtue of the office, a member of the Executive Committee of the Citizens' Association. The sponsorship of the Easttown School Board has, for many years, been a most important factor in the well-being and progress of the Library. It was housed for many years in school buildings - first in the old Primary School and later in the old Grammar School. Since the removal of both of these buildings, the Easttown Board has continued its contribution to the Library's maintenance in its present quarters in the Aiken Building on Lancaster Avenue. In May, 1931, the Library Committee asked the Tredyffrin Board for contribution. Its response was generous. The Library, therefore, owes much to the generosity of the two Townships' school directors. Since its beginning in 1905, many citizens have regularly contributed, both time and money, to bring in the necessary funds. The Library Committee in its early days held the first "Rummage Sale" in Berwyn. Since this one was a success - many more followed. Finally in 1927 the "Thrift Shop" or "Community Shop" was opened under the joint auspices of the Berwyn Branch of The Womens' Auxiliary of the Chester County Hospital and the Berwyn Library Committee. These two organizations shared equally the profit. For many years the "Library Supper" was a Community event. Later the musical and dramatic talent of the Village produced the "Berwyn Follies". Later on card parties became a means for raising money. Also, through all these years, many citizens have been most regular in their annual contribution of money. In 1933, the present annual family subscription of $1.00 was inaugurated. Since Mrs. Jardine's appointment in 1906, six librarians in succession have served the Library -- Miss Lillian Burns, Mrs. Frye, Miss Emilie Barry, Miss Ethel Johnson, Mrs. Edith Beaumont, Mrs. Macbeth. Mrs. Edith Beaumont was appointed in 1919 and during her twenty-five years of excellent service and guidance, the Library has grown to be an institution meriting the town's appreciation. The success of the Library has, throughout the years, depended largely upon the group in charge of its affairs. This group was first designated as the Reading-Room Committee, then as the Library Committee, and is now known as the Library Board. No discussion of the Berwyn Library would be complete without some tribute to the five persons making up these groups. For years Mr. Walter P. Hutton held the chairmanship of the Committee. He was followed by Mr. Howard S. Okie. Mr. Arthur Hutton served for many years as Treasurer. In recent years the success of the Library has been due, in large measure, to the untiring interest of Mr. Henry Potts, as President of the Board, and to its present President, Mr. Harland J. Martin. In September, 1935, there was a reorganization of the Library Committee. Members of the "old committee" tendered their resignations, and a new committee was formed:
The group, since this date, has been designated the "Library Board". The long standing question of whether the library should be supported and managed by public or private authority has been settled since the date covered by Miss Atkinson's interesting history. This question was put to the voters of Easttown Township at the general election in 1946 and decision has made to carry on the work under the control of the Board of Road Supervisors who appointed the present Library Board consisting of:
Matthew W. Black, President
Mrs. Gilbert Macbeth is Librarian and Mrs. Frederick It is to be hoped that the public will continue to receive the same loyal and efficient service, as a result of this important change, as was characterized by the work of the library officials and board members over the forty odd years of the existence of the Berwyn Library. Editor
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